The Malte Tourbillon Openworked represents yet another chapter – though not the final word – in the openwork saga for Vacheron Constantin in 2014. In this particular shape – with a shaped manual winding movement of course – the architectural nods to the 19th century are particularly evident. For those who may not remember, the Malte watches are tonneau-shaped, with some models equipped with tonneau-shaped mechanical movements. While this Malte is a tourbillon watch, like the Patrimony model, the style of openworking offers a very different perspective. Here too the watchmaking artisans have employed a new technique to sculpt the movement, calibre 2790 SQ.

Just like calibre 2260 SQP, 2790 SQ displays Vacheron Constantin’s commitment to showcasing how the openworking is actually the result of skilled human hands. The curved openings and narrow angles apparently cannot be reproduced by machines, as other manufactures have also been keen to emphasize. In the case of calibre 2790 SQ in particular, these human hands have created a mosaic of tiny triangles made up of recurring straight lines. From the drawing board to the final watch, the calibre alone took more than 500 hours of work. Cased in platinum 950, the 42mm watch also features some interesting dial executions, including an engraved and inked sapphire crystal ($367,000).

There is insufficient space to cover the seriously impressive openworking here, but we shall simply say the Métiers D’Art Fabuleux Ornements is a feminine offering. That a watchmaker of Vacheron Constantin’s standing is applying the art of openworking to a collection of watches for ladies is highly commendable. Perhaps we shall give this collection its due in a later issue.